Fight for Your Life

The roots of Valor can be traced back to 1983 when a band named Golgatha was founded. The guys were bathing in classic heavy metal glory their enthusiasm reflected in one demo (“Prisoner”) before they split into two fractions: Crossforce and the band under scrutiny here. The bass player Adam Alvarez took care of the latter side, and things took off resulting in the “Masquerade” demo released in 1986. This new initiative explored the power/speed metal tradition of the Wild West following on the steps of Jag Panzer, Omen, Helstar and Savage Grace.

There was no change in direction on the album reviewed here which appeared in 1988, and also contained all the tracks from the demo; the year when the old school experienced its culmination, both quantity and quality-wise. The guys have come with all the guns blazing as evident form the fiery “Valor” which rages on with shades of thrash in the air and very good dramatic clean vocals. “The Flesh is Weak” is another intense power/thrasher the band marching on with consistent mid-tempo riffs, and the title-track comes rolling with spinning speed metal motifs reminiscent of Savage Grace, a surprisingly catchy brisk anthem with great attached vocal performance and a nice memorable chorus. “Empty Tomb” has an epic doomy relief provided at first, but the guys speed/thrash on with all the valor... sorry, vigour they can muster later. “Didn’t I” finally slows down entirely for the production of a rousing battle hymn ala Warlord, and “It’s not Too Late” even touches the ballad at the beginning remaining within the milder heavy/power metal confines. “Accept Him” will be universally accepted anywhere, a violent 1.5-min headbanger its impetuousness nicely supported by the speed metal winner “Masquerade” which also boasts a very good bass bottom. “Burn” closes the album in a more progressive metal fashion, but expect a brutal speedy melee at some stage which blends well with the more moderate, more officiant rhythms.

This album was a pleasant underground surprise at the time, very nicely fitting into the group of opuses from the USA that served the culmination of the movement, like Helstar’s “Distant Thunder”, Liege Lord’s “Master’s Control”, and Attacker’s “Second Coming”. Like these three, this effort also looks at the more aggressive thrash brotherhood, and proudly stands its ground in such a strong company. One should respect the band for managing to place themselves on the official release pedestal just before the power/speed metal fraternity started fading away although that was all they managed to achieve under the circumstances. Still, even as a one-album-wonder Valor should by all means be remembered as one of the valiant acts who helped establish the glorious American power/speed metal movement as a legitimate chapter from metal history.